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1995–96 Phoenix Suns season
Professional basketball season
Professional basketball season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Phoenix Suns |
| end_year | 1996 |
| wins | 41 |
| losses | 41 |
| division | Pacific |
| division_place | 4 |
| conf_place | 7 |
| gm | Bryan Colangelo |
| owner | Jerry Colangelo |
| arena | America West Arena |
| playoffs | [First round](1996-nba-playoffs-bracket) |
| (lost to [Spurs](1995-96-san-antonio-spurs-season) 1–3) | |
| bbr_team | PHO |
| radio | KTAR |
- Paul Westphal (fired)
- Cotton Fitzsimmons (lost to Spurs 1–3)
- KUTP
- ASPN The 1995–96 Phoenix Suns season was the 28th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. The Suns had the 21st overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Michael Finley from the University of Wisconsin. During the off-season, the team acquired Hot Rod Williams from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and signed free agent Tony Smith.
The Suns struggled with a 13–13 start to the regular season, then lost eight of their next nine games. Head coach Paul Westphal, who had led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, went 14–19 before being replaced by Cotton Fitzsimmons, who would come in to coach in his third stint with the Suns, while Smith was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for rookie point guard Terrence Rencher at mid-season. The team played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, as they held a 22–24 record at the All-Star break, and finished in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a 41–41 record, earning the seventh seed in the Western Conference, and qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. The Suns were also one of the nine teams to defeat the 72–10 Chicago Bulls during the regular season.
Charles Barkley led the Suns with 23.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Kevin Johnson averaged 18.7 points, led the team with 9.2 assists, and contributed 1.5 steals per game in only 56 games due to hamstring and groin injuries, and Finley provided the team with 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, sixth man Danny Manning averaged 13.4 points per game off the bench, but only played just 33 games due to a torn ACL, and sprained ankle, while second-year guard Wesley Person contributed 12.7 points per game, and led the Suns with 117 three-point field goals, and Wayman Tisdale contributed 10.7 points per game off the bench. Meanwhile, Elliott Perry provided with 8.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, A.C. Green contributed 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and Hot Rod Williams averaged 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and led the team with 1.5 blocks per game.
During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Barkley was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his tenth consecutive All-Star selection. Meanwhile, Finley was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team, and also participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Barkley also finished tied in twelfth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Finley finished tied in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting.
In the Western Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Midwest Division champion San Antonio Spurs, who were led by All-Star center David Robinson, All-Star forward Sean Elliott, and Avery Johnson. However, despite playing all 82 games, Finley suffered an ankle injury on the final day of the regular season, and did not play in any of the Suns' playoff games. Without Finley, the Suns lost the first two games to the Spurs on the road at the Alamodome, but managed to win Game 3 at home, 94–93 at the America West Arena. However, the Suns then lost Game 4 to the Spurs at home, 116–98, as the team lost the series in four games.
The Suns finished eighth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 779,943 at the America West Arena during the regular season. Following the season, Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets after four seasons with the Suns, while Perry was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Rencher was released to free agency.
Offseason
NBA draft
Main article: 1995 NBA draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | Michael Finley | Guard/Forward | United States | Wisconsin |
| 1 | 27 | Mario Bennett | Forward | United States | Arizona State |
| 2 | 56 | Chris Carr | Guard | United States | Southern Illinois |
The Suns received the 21st pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1994. With the pick they would select future All-Star swingman Michael Finley from Wisconsin. Finley averaged 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in four years with the Badgers. On October 4, the Suns signed Finley to a three-year rookie contract for $2.17 million. In his rookie season, Finley would average 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Finley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks midway through his sophomore season for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd.
The Suns used their first-round pick to select small forward Mario Bennett from Arizona State. Bennett averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Sun Devils. On October 4, the Suns signed Bennett to a three-year rookie contract for $1.66 million. Bennett underwent knee surgery before the season and remained on the injured reserve until March 1. Bennett would appear in just 19 regular season games, starting in 14 due to injuries, and two playoff games before being waived prior to the 1996–97 season.
The Suns used their second-round pick to select shooting guard Chris Carr from Southern Illinois. Carr averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Salukis. On October 2, the Suns signed Carr to a one-year rookie contract for $200,000. Carr appeared in 60 regular season games, starting in ten, and three playoff games. Carr would sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the season.
Roster
- Paul Westphal (fired)
- Cotton Fitzsimmons
- Paul Silas
- Donnie Nelson
Regular season
Standings
Playoffs
Game log
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 26 | @ San Antonio | L 98–120 | Charles Barkley (26) | Charles Barkley (12) | Kevin Johnson (11) | Alamodome 16,545 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 28 | @ San Antonio | L 105–110 | Charles Barkley (30) | Charles Barkley (20) | Kevin Johnson (16) | Alamodome 19,507 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 1 | San Antonio | W 94–93 | Charles Barkley (25) | Charles Barkley (13) | Kevin Johnson (8) | America West Arena 19,023 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 3 | San Antonio | L 98–116 | Charles Barkley (21) | Charles Barkley (9) | Kevin Johnson (8) | America West Arena 19,023
| 1–3 |
|---|
Awards and honors
Week/Month
- Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played April 1 through April 7.
- Charles Barkley was named Player of the Month for February.
All-Star
- Charles Barkley was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his tenth consecutive All-Star selection. Barkley finished first in voting among Western Conference players with 1,268,195 votes.
- Other Suns players receiving All-Star votes were: A.C. Green (269,175).
- Michael Finley was selected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest. Finley finished second, losing to champion Brent Barry in the final round.
- Michael Finley was selected to compete for the Western Conference in the Rookie Challenge.
Season
- Charles Barkley was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Barkley also finished 12th in MVP voting.
- Michael Finley was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Finley also finished tied in fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Injuries/Missed Games
- 10/31/95: Mario Bennett: Knee chondromalacia; placed on injured reserve until March 1
- 10/31/95: John Coker: Foot stress fracture; placed on injured reserve until March 8
- 10/31/95: Danny Manning: Torn ACL; placed on injured list until February 1
- 11/10/95: Kevin Johnson: Strained knee tendon; out until November 18
- 11/27/95: Wayman Tisdale: Sore shoulder; did not play
- 12/02/95: Kevin Johnson: Sore hamstring; did not play
- 12/08/95: Charles Barkley: Flu; did not play
- 12/08/95: Elliot Perry: Bruised lower back; did not play
- 12/16/95: Kevin Johnson: Strained groin; out until January 21
- 12/16/95: Stefano Rusconi: Flu; did not play
- 12/19/95: Hot Rod Williams: Sprained knee; out until December 27
- 01/04/96: Stefano Rusconi: Injured achilles tendon; out until waived on January 31
- 01/09/96: Charles Barkley: Sore toe; out until January 21
- 01/09/96: Hot Rod Williams: Leg nerve irritation; out until January 28
- 02/08/96: Kevin Johnson: Strained hamstring, strained groin; out until February 19
- 02/13/96: Wayman Tisdale: Injured eye; did not play
- 03/01/96: Terrence Rencher: Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until April 22
- 03/07/96: Wayman Tisdale: Bruised shoulder; did not play
- 03/08/96: Wayman Tisdale: Strained shoulder; placed on injured list until March 29
- 03/13/96: Danny Manning: Sprained ankle; out until March 21
- 03/29/96: John Coker: Sore foot, placed on injured list until April 22
- 04/02/96: Mario Bennett: Flu; out until April 10
- 04/07/96: Danny Manning: Knee tendinitis; out until April 16
- 04/10/96: Hot Rod Williams: Injured hand, wrist, foot; out until April 19
- 04/14/96: Joe Kleine: Fainting spell; out until April 26
- 04/16/96: Charles Barkley: Strained calf; out until April 26
- 04/21/96: Kevin Johnson: Strained calf; did not play
- 04/26/96: Michael Finley: Sprained ankle; did not play
- 04/28/96: Michael Finley: Sprained ankle; did not play
- 05/01/96: Michael Finley: Sprained ankle; did not play
- 05/03/96: Michael Finley: Sprained ankle; did not play
Player statistics
Season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 71 | 37.1 | .500 | .280 | .777 | 11.6 | 3.7 | 1.6 | .8 | 23.2 | |
| 19 | 14 | 12.1 | .453 | .000 | .643 | 2.6 | 0.3 | .6 | .6 | 4.5 | |
| 60 | 10 | 9.8 | .415 | .262 | .817 | 1.7 | 0.7 | .2 | .1 | 4.0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 2.2 | .800† | . | . | 0.4 | 0.2 | .0 | .2 | 1.6 | |
| 82 | 72 | 39.2 | .476 | .328 | .749 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 1.0 | .4 | 15.0 | |
| 82 | 36 | 25.8 | .484 | .269 | .709 | 6.8 | 0.9 | .5 | .3 | 7.5 | |
| 56 | 55 | 35.8 | .507† | .368 | .859# | 3.9 | 9.2 | 1.5 | .2 | 18.7 | |
| 56 | 9 | 11.8 | .420 | .286 | .800 | 2.4 | 0.8 | .2 | .1 | 2.9 | |
| 33 | 4 | 24.7 | .459 | .214 | .752 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 1.2 | .7 | 13.4 | |
| 81 | 26 | 20.6 | .475 | .407^ | .778 | 1.7 | 4.4 | 1.1 | .1 | 8.6 | |
| 82 | 47 | 31.8 | .445 | .374^ | .771 | 3.9 | 1.7 | .7 | .3 | 12.7 | |
| * | 2 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.000† | . | .333 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .0 | .5 | 1.5 |
| 7 | 0 | 4.3 | .333 | . | .400 | 0.9 | 0.4 | .0 | .3 | 1.1 | |
| * | 34 | 2 | 15.5 | .405 | .325 | .649 | 1.6 | 2.5 | .6 | .1 | 5.6 |
| 63 | 6 | 18.3 | .495 | . | .765 | 3.4 | 0.9 | .2 | .6 | 10.7 | |
| 62 | 58 | 26.6 | .453 | .000 | .731 | 6.0 | 1.0 | .7 | 1.5 | 7.3 | |
| * | 4 | 0 | 8.5 | .167 | . | 1.000# | 1.3 | 0.5 | .3 | .0 | 1.0 |
- – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made.
– Minimum 125 free-throws made.
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 41.0 | .443 | .250 | .787 | 13.5 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 25.5 | |
| 2 | 0 | 4.0 | .500 | . | . | 1.5 | 0.0 | .0 | .0 | 2.0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 12.0 | .643 | .667 | .800 | 2.3 | 1.3 | .7 | .3 | 8.0 | |
| 4 | 4 | 21.8 | .353 | .000 | .875 | 4.5 | 0.5 | .3 | .0 | 4.8 | |
| 4 | 4 | 37.8 | .474 | .250 | .824 | 4.3 | 10.8 | .5 | .5 | 17.3 | |
| 2 | 0 | 4.0 | .000 | . | . | 0.5 | 0.0 | .5 | .0 | 0.0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 22.5 | .458 | .000 | .625 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 12.3 | |
| 4 | 0 | 12.8 | .500 | . | .000 | 0.5 | 3.0 | .5 | .0 | 3.5 | |
| 4 | 4 | 45.8 | .393 | .310 | .800 | 5.8 | 0.8 | .8 | .3 | 14.3 | |
| 4 | 0 | 16.8 | .333 | . | .500 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .3 | .3 | 5.3 | |
| 4 | 4 | 28.8 | .438 | . | .667 | 6.5 | 0.3 | .0 | 1.8 | 9.0 |
Player statistics citation:
Transactions
Trades
| February 22, 1996 | To **Miami Heat** | To **Phoenix Suns** |
|---|
Free agents
Additions
| Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%" | Date | Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%" | Player | Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%" | Contract | Phoenix Suns}}" width="15%" | Former Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signed multi-year contract | Benetton Treviso | ||||||
| Signed 6-year contract for $12 million | Phoenix Suns | ||||||
| Undisclosed | Boise State Broncos | ||||||
| Undisclosed | |||||||
| Undisclosed | |||||||
| Undisclosed | |||||||
| Signed 2-year contract for $6.65 million | Phoenix Suns | ||||||
| Signed 6-year contract for $40 million | Phoenix Suns | ||||||
| Signed 1-year contract for $500,000 | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||
| Signed 10-day contract | Golden State Warriors |
Subtractions
| Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%" | Date | Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%" | Player | Phoenix Suns}}" width="10%" | Reason left | Phoenix Suns}}" width="15%" | New team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Expansion draft](1995-nba-expansion-draft) | Vancouver Grizzlies | ||||||
| Retired | (Retired) | ||||||
| Waived | |||||||
| Waived | |||||||
| Waived | |||||||
| 10-day contract expired | Dallas Mavericks | ||||||
| Waived | Benetton Treviso |
Player Transactions Citation:
References
References
- "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats".
- Heisler, Mark. (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times.
- (June 29, 1995). "First-Round Selections in the 1995 NBA Draft". Hartford Courant.
- "1995 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
- (October 8, 1995). "Suns Trade Majerle to Cavs". The New York Times.
- (October 8, 1995). "Suns Trade Majerle for "Hot Rod" Williams: Pro Basketball: The Cavaliers Also Get Lang and a First-Round Draft Pick from Phoenix". Los Angeles Times.
- (October 8, 1995). "Suns Deal Majerle, Lang, No. 1 Pick for Cavs' Hot Rod". Deseret News.
- (November 1, 1995). "Bennett Surgery Successful". United Press International.
- (January 17, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Hurting Suns Fire Westphal". The New York Times.
- (January 17, 1996). "Fitzsimmons Replaces Westphal". The Washington Post.
- Weston, Steve. (January 17, 1996). "Suns Fire Westphal, Pick Cotton". Orlando Sentinel.
- Brown, Clifton. (February 23, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; On Deadline, Riley Makes Bold Moves". The New York Times.
- (February 23, 1996). "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day". Deseret News.
- Patton, Robes. (February 24, 1996). "Heat's Months of Preparation Pay Off on Trading Day". Sun Sentinel.
- "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference.
- "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
- (February 7, 1996). "Too Much Barkley, Too Much for Bulls". Los Angeles Times.
- (September 28, 1996). "Suns' Johnson Undergoes Hernia Surgery". Los Angeles Times.
- (September 28, 1996). "Suns' K.J. to Miss 6 to 8 Weeks". Deseret News.
- (February 2, 1996). "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; His Rehabilitation Over, Manning Is Set for Return". The New York Times.
- Daimos, Jason. (March 13, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets End Another Game in Ice". The New York Times.
- "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
- Heisler, Mark. (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times.
- (September 13, 2021). "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
- "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference.
- (February 10, 1996). "Pro Basketball". The Gainesville Sun.
- "1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92". Basketball-Reference.
- "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference.
- "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
- (May 16, 1996). "Stoudamire Named Top Rookie After Lukewarm NBA Reception". Los Angeles Times.
- (April 26, 1996). "Suns Limp Into San Antonio". Tucson Citizen.
- (April 26, 1996). "Spurs 120, Suns 98". United Press International.
- (May 1, 1996). "Spurs Attempt to Eliminate Image". The Oklahoman.
- (May 4, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; The Spurs Eliminate the Suns". The New York Times.
- (May 4, 1996). "Spurs Dig in and Bury Suns to Advance". Los Angeles Times.
- "1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Suns vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference.
- "1995–96 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.
- (August 19, 1996). "Barkley Confirms His Trade to Rockets". The New York Times.
- (August 19, 1996). "Suns Unload Barkley, Get Four Players from Rockets". Los Angeles Times.
- (August 19, 1996). "Barkley Traded to the Rockets". The Washington Post.
- (September 25, 1996). "Bucks to Finalize Trade for Perry". The Journal Times.
- (September 26, 1996). "Parish Keeps Rolling". The Spokesman-Review.
- "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Transactions". Basketball-Reference.
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